Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-24
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Every One on the Tiptoe OF Excitement
TO Know Who the New Secretary OF
the Treasury Is To Be.
The Foundation for the Report That an
Extra Session of Congress is Likely to
be Called-Alexandria's Ship Yards.
Correspondence of the Gazette.

Correspondence of the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2l.-The widely
circulated rumor to the effect that Mr..
Manning's resignation was brought about
by rupture between the Secretary and
the President has been effectually dis
posed of BY the publication of the CORE
spondence between them upon the sub
iect The truth is doubtless as Mr.. Man
ming states in his letter. He found that
the close attention necessary in the dis
charge of his official duties was task be-
yond his strength. His friends, who had
observed that his health was beng al
fected by his close application, have con-
tinued to urge that he should resign, aud
1t is known that he has had the matter III
contemplation for some time past.
The air is filed with coDJectuTes IN
relation to the new Secretary OF lne
Treas1rJ. and very large NUMBER Oh
names have been suggested as persons
likely to receive the appointment. IL
has been minated that the President
seriously contemplates Offering the port
folio TO his old law partner, wilson D.
Bissell, who is said 10 possess qualities
which eminently fit him for the position.
The President has been somewhat sur
prIsed at the number of candidates that
nave appeared for the five positions as
Commissioners in the Interstate Com
merce Commission. He is determined to
satisfy himself about the capacity OF the
menbefore making the appointment.
Notwithstanding the fact that but
limited time remains TO
the present Congress, and seve-
raj of the appropriation bills are
as vet Enacted upon, there is no real
foundation for the report that an extra
session of Congress is likely to be called.
The best informed members OF Congress
believe that no session will be called, as
nothing but failure to pass the regular
appropriation bills before 1.-THE 4th OF
March would necessitate 1t. The unset
tied question of Treasury surplus, i'm
portant as it is, would not, in itself, &C
casion the calling of an extra session, IS
the surplus will be largely ABSORBED be-
fore the opening of the session in Decem-
Der in redeeming the remainder of the >
per cent bonds, and in putting about
$4,000, 900 into the sinking fund TO be
used in reGeeming the per cent. bonds.
The historic city of Alexandra, which
il will be remembered was, in ante bellum
DAYS, celebrated as the principal ship
building point in the south, bids lair to
regain her former prominence. The old
ship wards which have been for so many
wears idle, will soon be transformed into
q scene of activity, such as was probably
never equaled, even in the palmy days OF
the past. The yards have been
purchased by the Arrow Steamship Com
panv Of New York city, who will put
q force of 5000 men at work upon April
|. TIE company will ct that time COM
nance the construction of the largest
transatlantic iron steamship that was
ever built upon this side of the Atlantic.
The vessel will be $40 feet in length, with
q tonnage OF 5000 In the construction
of the vessel every effort will be made to
obtain the greatest possible speed. The
vessel, when completed, will consutpte
one of a fleet of titteeL ocean racers which
will be built by the company.
The Democracy of the District has sus-
tanned serious loss in the death Ct a
time honored leader in the person OF John
+. Norris, Esq. This patriot had, for
more than quarter of century up to
the time of his death, been annually elect
ed to the presidency OF the Jackson Dem
ocrstic Association-an organization at
the national capital known and respecte d
by public men of all shades of politics.
Mr.. Norris was man who, by his ster-
ling worth, genial manners and sincerity
of heart, endeared himself to alarge circle
of friends, including within it men prom
inent in both branches of Congress and
elsewhere in official life. His depth OF
conviction, unhlnching courage, disre'
gard for his own personal inter
terests, ana earnestness in the cause,
made him p.e-eminently the recognized
leader of the District Democracy. He
was forcible and impressive speaker,
logical ressoner, able lawyer, and ripe
scholar. On the day of his funeral the
courts adjourned, and the judges, &C
companied by the entire bar, Of which fol
more than forty years he had been d
member, attended the funeral in body
The various Democratic associations also
attended in body, and the funeral cor,
tege for that of private citizen was the
largest that the city has witnessed for
years. This brief sketch of this widely
known and respected man is given for the
ewes of such of your readers as may nave
served your constituency in Congress or
otherwise been in public service at the
nations capital, and made the friendship
of the deceased.